If we are going to continue accelerating the development of life-changing diagnoses and cures it is essential to ensure strong, predictable funding increases for NIH-supported research. In FY 2018, the Ad Hoc Group recommends an increase of at least $2 billion above FY 2017 for NIH, in addition to funds included in the 21st Century Cures Act for targeted initiatives. This funding level would enable real growth over biomedical inflation as an important step to ensuring stability in the nation’s research capacity over the long term. Moreover, our recommendation would help advance the scientific momentum envisioned by the 21st Century Cures Act – enacted with broad bipartisan support – in which the Innovation Account supplements the agency’s base budget. Securing a reliable, robust budget trajectory for NIH will be key in positioning the agency – and the patients who rely on it – to capitalize on the full range of research in the biomedical, behavioral, social, and population-based sciences. We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to ensure NIH remains a national priority in FY 2018.